Narrow defeat at Stockport

May 1, 1916Liverpool fulfilled their last official engagement of the season by meeting Stockport County at Edgeley Park on Saturday. The day was far more suggestive of cricket than “Soccer,” and the heat had an obvious effect on the players. Added to this was the knowledge that the fixture was rather perfunctory winding up of the session, and so it may readily be imagined there was not an excess of enthusiasm about the proceedings.

Nevertheless, both teams put up an exceedingly good game, and the issue was in doubt right to the finish. Stockport finally stached a rather well-earned victory but the odd goal in three, and it is probable that most of the contestants felt an agreeable physical relief when “time” was sounded.

The playing patch was hard and dusty, and the pace, in the first half at least, was sufficiently lively. The home forwards were much the more aggressive, but their work at short range was woeful to a degree. They could do anything but find the target, and when at length a good shot did come along from the foot of Tommy Waterall, Ted Taylor let through very tamely.

In the second period matters were much slower, though there was a slight quickening of interest when Fred Pagnam followed up a place kick with an equaliser. Stockport replied with another series of scrappy attacks, and a little before the end Barnett gave them a winning goal.

The work of the Anfielders was fairly good for the most part. Taylor was distinctly shaky at times, and James Middlehurst was inclined to take risks. Arthur Goddard once more played the part of the old warhorse at centre half, and helped to keep his forwards going. Pagnam might have been a little more forceful, in spite of the fact that he was well watched, and both wings showed occasional brilliance.(Source: Liverpool Echo: May 1, 1916)